Somerville residents clean-up to celebrate Earth Day

On Saturday, April 26, in honor of Earth Day, Somerville residents and local organizations will clean up litter and other debris throughout the Borough's parks, brooks and other public areas. Last year's event yielded many large garbage bags of litter, as well as bicycles, tires, shopping carts and construction materials which had been deposited in the brooks. The event is sponsored by the Somerville Environmental Commission, Somerville Public Works Department, Central Jersey Stream Team, and AmeriCorps.

Volunteers are now being sought. Anyone able to donate an hour or two to participate in this Earth Day Clean-up should meet at the Somerville High School Parking Lot at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, where clean up assignments will be given. No pre registration is needed. Work gloves, trash bags, and refreshments will be provided. Tree seedlings will also be given out to anyone interested in planting them.

Individuals and families are invited to re-group at 11:15 a.m. at the wedding gazebo near the corner of North Bridge and Williams Streets to participate in the Arbor Day tree planting celebration. Thanks to a donation from the Somerset Garden Club, two new trees will be planted to replace those lost in the last hurricane.

Local Girl Scout, Boy Scout and youth groups are welcome to help in the clean-up. Adult volunteer groups are also encouraged to assist. The commission also encourages neighbors to get outside on April 26 and clean up their streets of litter, clear storm drains, and alleviate rain water run off to storm drains by directing roof gutters to the ground or into rain gardens or rain barrels.

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) and the Regional Center Partnership are offering rebates of up to $200 for rain barrels to residents of Somerville, Bridgewater, and Raritan. For more information, visit regionalcenterpartnership.org. NJWSA and Rutgers Water Resources Program are offering free rain garden workshops and rebates of up to $450 for area residents. Rain gardens are shallow, landscaped areas that collect rain water from rooftops and driveways. Free design consultations are available. For eligibility and complete program information, visit raritanbasin.org.

Somerville Environmental Commission members volunteer their time at monthly meetings on behalf of improving the environmental practices in town and on managing municipal shade trees. Other past activities include rain barrel workshops, tree pruning workshops, and tree plantings. For information on upcoming projects or to share your concerns or interest in trees or the environment, visit the Somerville Borough website at somervillenj.org and go to the Living tab, then click on Committee Boards/Commissions.